BUSINESS
IBM introduces technology to schoolgirls
11-11-2004
by Deirdre McArdle
Primary school girls in Ireland are being given the opportunity to find out more about technology and science at a three-day technology camp organised by IBM.
Twenty-eight sixth class girls from Scoil Mhuire Primary School in Blakestown, Dublin will be participating in IBM's EXITE (Exploring Interests in Technology and Engineering) programme. The programme is part of an IBM initiative which aims to encourage girls between the ages of 11 and 14 to take more of an interest in science and technology subjects.
"While we would generally favour equal access of opportunity for boys and girls, we hope that the segregation -- in its kindest sense -- will impress on the girls that there are exciting and challenging opportunities for them and that science, engineering and technology are not male preserves," said John Tyrell, principal of Scoil Mhuire Primary School.
EXITE, which is being run during Science Week 2004, is all about making science and technology fun, according to IBM. During the three days the girls will get to spend time with IBM employee volunteers and will work with them on activities such as webpage design, computer chip design, laser optics, animation, robotics, and working with computer hardware and software.
The girls will also visit IBM's three Dublin facilities where they will be able to meet a number of women who hold senior level positions within IBM. The company's goal "is to introduce the girls to women who are making important contributions in technology and engineering and to let them know that the industry is keen to show a new generation of women what can be achieved," said Elaine Stephen, director of Lotus Workplace Development, and Dublin Software Lab.
This is the first time that the EXITE camp has been run in Ireland although IBM has managed a number of similar programmes in countries such as the Netherlands, the US, Thailand and India in the past year. Since its launch in 1999 approximately 3,000 girls have participated in the EXITE programme.
